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July 17, 2018

Clark State Now Offers Opportunity for Future in Robotics

Clark State Community College will introduce a new Robotics certificate program beginning Fall semester of this year.

“The robotics program teaches students how to program a robot to complete a desired task,” explained Nora Hatem, associate professor of Industrial Engineering at Clark State. “For example, programming a robot to pick up a box and stack the box on a pallet or teaching a robot to weld. Students also learn different manufacturing processes and how to integrate robots into a manufacturing setting.”

The Robotic certificate program is 24 semester hours, and graduates of the program will receive FANUC certification and Motoman certification.

“Students learn how to program both types of robots and how to integrate the robots with other processes, for example a conveyor system,” said Hatem. “Students also have the option to learn robotic welding and robot maintenance. There are companies in our area that are looking for graduates with these skills.”

The Robotic certificate program prepares graduates for careers such as a robotics programmer or robotics application technologist.

Motoman and FANUC both have e-learning curriculum developed, and it is used as part of the certification process.

“This is a great career opportunity and a wonderful addition to our associate degree in Manufacturing,” said Hatem.

Yaskawa America, Inc., Motoman Robotics Division worked with Clark State to create the comprehensive Robotics certification program with a focus on web-based curriculum designed specifically for educators and students.

Founded in 1989, Yaskawa Motoman is a leading industrial robotics company in the Americas. With more than 380,000 Motoman industrial robots, 10 million servos and 18 million inverter drives installed globally, Yaskawa provides automation products and solutions for virtually every industry and robotic application including arc welding, assembly, coating, dispensing, material handling, material cutting, material removal, packaging, palletizing and spot welding.

Graff said the Motoman Operators and Basic Programming certification will be made available to Clark State students, both recognized and supported by Yaskawa Academy as an industry credential. “Having these credentials are essential for students who are interviewing for robotic related jobs, especially in Ohio where there are thousands of robots being used by hundreds of automation based manufacturers,” he said.

Graff said there are two classes of robotics jobs available that need to be filled: the first level includes programmers, trouble shooting, maintenance, robotic operation, simulation, virtualization, design, robotic welding and PLC based robotics. The second level are new positions being created as a result of Industry 4.0 convergence with robotics including collaborative robotics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality, advanced vision systems, autonomous /mobile robotics, big data analysis (robotic management systems), cybersecurity and robotic additive manufacturing.

“According to the Boston Consulting Group 2017-2018 research, there will be a need to fill 87,000 robotic related jobs by 2025,” said Graff. “We are seeing a major push for robotic workforce development partnerships, advanced manufacturing consortium projects and initiatives between education and industry around the country.”

Registration is open for the Robotics certificate program. The program can be completed in two semesters, however, two prerequisites are required. The courses cover the history and evolution of robotics; classification and characteristics of robots, robotic applications and safety protocols; and introduction of various industrial robotic tech pendants and robotic movement and robotic programming.

“Robotics is critical to our regional manufacturers, and Clark State responded to their needs by creating a program that prepares students to pursue careers in this well-paying and in-demand field,” said Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State.